Allardyce poised for Rovers job

Sam Allardyce is poised to become Blackburn's new manager after Graeme Souness ruled himself out of the running.

Blackburn are believed to have approached Allardyce (above) over the vacancy today and the former Bolton and Newcastle boss is now considering taking over from the sacked Paul Ince.

Souness said: "I'm not your man, I can definitely say that." Ince was axed as manager yesterday and Rovers hope to have his successor appointed by Saturday.

"We will endeavour to have a new manager in place for the game with Stoke," confirmed chairman John Williams.

"But there are no guarantees and we must ensure that we get the right man."

Ince was dismissed by Rovers after only 17 Premier League games in charge.

Rovers are second from bottom of the table and have not won in the League since they defeated Newcastle on 27 September.

Allardyce, who has also been linked with the managerial vacancy at Sunderland, has been out of the game since leaving Newcastle in January.

But he was highly successful during eight years at the helm of Rovers' Lancashire rivals Bolton, establishing them in the Premier League and guiding them into Europe during his time in charge at the Reebok.